Set a default font before you start typing
Google Docs uses Calibri as its default font when you open a blank document. To change this so every new document starts with your preferred font instead, open any Google Doc, select all the text (Ctrl+A on Windows, Cmd+A on Mac), choose your font from the toolbar, then click File > Save as default. From that point on, every new blank document you create will open with that font already in place.
This setting applies only to your account on that device. If you sign into Google Docs on a different computer or browser, you'll need to set the default again. The setting also doesn't change fonts in documents you've already created — it only affects new blank documents going forward.
You can change your default font as many times as you want. Just repeat the same steps with a different font, and the new one becomes your default. There's no limit to how often you can switch.
Key Takeaways
- Open any Google Doc, select all text with Ctrl+A (or Cmd+A), pick your font from the toolbar, then click File > Save as default.
- The default font setting only affects new blank documents you create after you set it, not existing documents.
- Your default font is stored per account per device, so you may need to set it again on a different computer or browser.
- You can change your default font whenever you want by repeating the same steps with a different font choice.
Where to find the font menu in Google Docs
When you open a Google Doc, the toolbar at the top contains a dropdown that shows your current font. On a new blank document, it displays "Calibri" by default. Click that dropdown to see a list of available fonts. The list includes common choices like Arial, Times New Roman, Georgia, and Courier New, plus dozens of others.
You can also search for a font by name. If you know you want Garamond but don't see it immediately, type "garamond" into the search box that appears at the top of the font dropdown, and it will filter the list for you.
Why you might want to change your default font
Different fonts serve different purposes. Sans-serif fonts like Arial and Helvetica look clean and modern on screens. Serif fonts like Times New Roman and Georgia feel more formal and are often preferred for printed documents. Monospace fonts like Courier New line up characters evenly, which some people find easier to read or which work better for code.
If you write the same type of document repeatedly — say, formal letters or school essays — setting your preferred font as the default saves you from changing it in every new document. You open a blank doc and the font is already there, ready to use.
What happens to fonts in shared or existing documents
Changing your default font does not affect documents that already exist or documents that other people have shared with you. If someone sends you a Google Doc formatted in Courier New, it will stay in Courier New when you open it, regardless of what your default is set to.
If you edit a shared document and change the font, that change applies to the document itself and everyone who views it will see the new font. Your default font setting only controls what font appears when you create a brand new blank document from scratch.
How to set a different default for specific document types
Google Docs does not offer separate defaults for different document types — you have one default font for all new blank documents. However, you can create a template with your preferred formatting and use that as a starting point instead.
To create a template, open a Google Doc, format it exactly how you want (font, margins, spacing, heading styles), then click File > Save as template. Give it a name. The next time you create a new document, you'll see an option to choose from your saved templates. This approach lets you have multiple starting points with different fonts and layouts without changing your global default.
Troubleshooting: Your default font isn't sticking
If you set a default font but new documents still open in Calibri, the most common cause is that you didn't click Save as default after selecting the font. Make sure you follow all the steps: select all text, change the font, then go to File and click the option explicitly. Simply changing the font in one document and closing it won't make it your default.
Another possibility is that you're using a different browser or device than where you set the default. Google stores your default font setting per browser per account. If you usually work in Chrome but open Google Docs in Firefox, Firefox won't have your Chrome default. You'll need to set it again in Firefox.
If you're on a shared or school computer where your account is managed by an organization, your administrator may have locked the default font setting. In that case, you won't be able to change it. Contact your IT department or administrator if you think this applies to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set a different default font for Google Sheets or Google Slides?
Yes. Open a blank Sheet or Slide, select all content, choose your font, then click File > Save as default. Each Google product (Docs, Sheets, Slides) has its own separate default font setting, so you can use one font for documents and a different one for spreadsheets.
What if I want to use a font that isn't in the dropdown list?
Google Docs includes hundreds of fonts, but if you need one that isn't there, you can add custom fonts. Click the font dropdown, scroll to the bottom, and click "More fonts." A window opens showing additional fonts you can browse and add to your library. Once added, they appear in your regular font dropdown and can be set as your default.
Does changing my default font affect documents other people have already shared with me?
No. Shared documents keep their original formatting. Your default font only controls what font appears in new blank documents you create. If you edit text in a shared document, it takes on whatever font that document was already using.
Can I set a default font size along with the font itself?
The "Save as default" option saves the font and font size together. Select all text, change both the font and the size in the toolbar, then click File > Save as default. Both settings will apply to new documents you create.